St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-10-15

night came headed for the fort. got
through without even sighting red
skin. and I had with me. as every man
at the fort in 1867 will testify. the four
Indian horses and two Indian rifles in
addition to INV own outiit.-N r Sun.
-o~
MARK TwAlN's couRTsH,P.
How the r.wou. aumor,st Won MS Bride
and Her Anxioas Father. Too.
Mark Twain is in New York almost
every week. He is very muck at home
in the city. but he never stops twice at
the same hotel; that is. not twice con-
secutively. This is because he likes
variety. 1t has nothing to do with the
bill or his methods Of payment. Mark
is all right, though every now and then
some old crony from the West who
hasn't struck pay-dirt since ~, Will
turn up with a queer story about the
great humorist and his days OF impe-
curiosity. Little do these detractors
know that Mark was called upon sud
denly one day to furnish Californian
testimonials to his good character. and
that he passed through the ordeal in
fashion that should silence all carping
criticism.
As every one knows. Mr.. Clemens
first met his beautiful wife while on the
famous voyage Of the Quaker City. and
he pursued his acquaintance after their
return so closely that at last the young
lady's papa one day called the ardent
and devoted Mark into his private
study and said. after some preamble:
MIR. Clemens. l have something to
say to you which bears upon subject
Of grave importance, at least to me and
mine. You have been coming here for
some time and your manners leave no
doubt in my mind IS to your object.
Now, my daughters welfare is very
dear to me. and before l can admit you
to her society on the footing Of suitor
to her hand would like to know some
thing more than do about you. your
antecedcnts. etc. Stop . minute! fou
must remember that . man may be
good fellow and pleasant companion
on . voyage and all that. but when it
is = question as grave as this wise
father tries to take every prccaution
before allowing his daughters affec-
tions to become engaged. and I ask Of
you. as q gentleman. that you shall give
me the names of some Of your friends
in California to whom may write and
make such inquiries rs deem ncccs-
sary. that is. if you still desire our
friendship"
1t was now Mark Twain's turn.
"Sir." said he. bowling profoundly.
as became young man who respects
his hoped-for father-in-law, '.your SEN
timents are in every way correct. ]
approve Of them myself, and hasten to
add that you have not been mistaken
in my sentiments towards your daugh-
ter, who. may tell you candidly. seems
to me to be the most perfect Of her sex.
and honor your solicitation for her
welfare. l am not only perfectly willing
to give you reference but am only toe
glad to have an opportunity to do so,
which my natural modesty would have
prevented me from Offering. There.
fore. permit me to give you the names
Of few Of my friends. I will write
them down. First is Lieutenant Gen.
eral John McComb, Alexander Badlam,
General Lander and Colonel w. II. l.
Barnes. They will all lie for me just
a I would for them under like circum'
stances"
This conclusion broke the old man all
m, and he never asked more reference
nor wrote to those gentlemen. Those
who know this quartette will appreciate
the joke.
A few weeks before Mark Twain
started away on the trip mentioned
above he was standing on Montgomery
street. leaning up against y lamp-post,
and he held . cigar-box under one arm
Mrs. Captain Edward Poole. a yer,
beautiful woman. and IS bright and a
witty n beautiful. came along ant
held out her hand. saying: "Why
Mark. where are you going in such :
hurry?" I'm m-o-o-v-ing." drawlet
Mark. at the same time opening th'
cigar-box. disclosing pair Of blu
socks. pipe and two paper collars. :
N. T. Cor. Philadelphia Press.